Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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DISTRIBUTED RECORDING OF CONTENT
BACKGROUND
[0001] A system for distributing video content is typically maintained by a
service
provider, which can be, for example, a television service provider (e.g., a
national or
local television network), a cable television service provider or multiple
system
operator (MSO), an Internet service provider, a satellite broadcast system
service
provider, or other suitable service provider.
[0002] High definition (HD) video content is becoming increasingly prevalent.
In a
conventional system, HD content and standard definition (SD) content can be
streamed to media players/servers, such as a set-top box (STB), which may
include
personal video recorder (PVR) or digital video recorder (DVR) functionality.
[0003] Conventional PVR/DVR-enabled devices are able to store the streamed
content, e.g., by recording the streamed content to a local disk or other
persistent
storage within or connected to the STB. Such PVR/DVR-enabled devices are
limited
by their local storage capacity; and if streamed content is HD, then the disk
space
requirement can be critical, as HD content requires more disk space than SD
content.
[0004] PVR/DVR-enabled devices can be connected in a network, such as a multi-
room DVR (MR-DVR) implementation. For example, in an illustrative MR-DVR
implementation, a media server, such as a Multimedia over Coax Alliance (MoCA)
enabled DVR set-top box, can deliver DVR content to other MoCA-enabled client
set-top boxes in other rooms throughout a home.
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[0005] If more than one PVR/DVR-enabled device wants to record the same
content,
then each one of those devices may create a copy of the same content in its
local
storage. This creates redundancy in a network, such as a MR-DVR
implementation,
where content can be shared between connected devices.
SUMMARY
[0006] In one embodiment of the present invention, a method is provided for
distributed recording of content in a client system having a home network
connecting
a content broker and a plurality of set-top boxes (STBs) with digital video
recording
capability. In a requesting STB, a command is received from a user to begin
recording a content item. A query is sent from the requesting STB to the
content
broker to determine whether the content item is being recorded by any other
STB of
the plurality of STBs. A response is received from the content broker. If the
response
indicates that none of the plurality of STBs is then currently recording the
content
item, the content item is recorded in the requesting STB. If the response
identifies a
recording STB that is then currently recording the requested content, an
internal
content list is updated in the requesting STB to identify the recording STB.
[0007] In another embodiment of the present invention, a method is provided
for
playback of distributed content in a client system having a home network
connecting
a content broker and a plurality of set-top boxes (STBs) with digital video
recording
capability. In a requesting STB, a command is received from a user to begin
playback
of a content item. A determination is made of whether the content item was
remotely
recorded in a recording STB. If the content item was remotely recorded in a
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recording STB, the recording STB is contacted through the home network to
request
streaming of the content item from the recording STB to the requesting STB.
The
content is received from the recording STB, and the received content is
displayed to
the user.
[0008] In a further embodiment of the present invention, a method is provided
for
distributed recording of content in a client system having a home network
connecting
a content broker and a plurality of set-top boxes (STBs) with digital video
recording
capability. In the content broker, a query is received from a requesting STB
to
determine whether a content item is being recorded by any other STB of the
plurality
of STBs. If none of the plurality of STBs is then currently recording the
content item,
a response is sent from the content broker to the requesting STB so that the
content
item can be recorded in the requesting STB. If a recording STB is then
currently
recording the requested content, a response is sent from the content broker to
the
requesting STB comprising a device identifier associated with the recording
STB.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009] FIG. 1 is a block diagram that illustrates an exemplary content
distribution
system in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
[0010] FIG. 2 is a flow diagram that illustrates a method for distributed
recording of
content according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0011] FIG. 3 is a flow diagram that illustrates a method for playback of
distributed
content according to a further embodiment of the present invention.
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DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0012] Aspects of the present invention provide a method for distributed
recording of
streamed content in PVR/DVR-enabled devices, making use of the networked
device
architecture for efficient use of storage.
[0013] Before describing in detail embodiments that are in accordance with the
present invention, it should be observed that the embodiments reside primarily
in
combinations of method steps and apparatus components related to a system and
method for distributed recording of content. Accordingly, the apparatus
components
and method steps have been represented where appropriate by conventional
symbols
in the drawings, showing only those specific details that are pertinent to
understanding the embodiments of the present invention so as not to obscure
the
disclosure with details that will be readily apparent to those of ordinary
skill in the art
having the benefit of the description herein.
[0014] In this document, relational terms such as first and second, top and
bottom,
and the like may be used solely to distinguish one entity or action from
another entity
or action without necessarily requiring or implying any actual such
relationship or
order between such entities or actions. The terms "comprises," "comprising,"
or any
other variation thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such
that a
process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements does
not
include only those elements but may include other elements not expressly
listed or
inherent to such process, method, article, or apparatus. An element preceded
by
"comprises ... a" does not, without more constraints, preclude the existence
of
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additional identical elements in the process, method, article, or apparatus
that
comprises the element.
[0015] FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary content distribution system 100 in
accordance
with an embodiment of the present invention. However, it will be understood by
a
person having ordinary skill in the art that aspects of the invention can be
practiced
using a system having other than the specific features or limitations of the
illustrative
content distribution system 100 described herein.
[0016] Content distribution system 100 includes a video server system 101 and
at
least one client system 111, the two of which are connected by an access
network 110.
For example, communication link 151A connects the server system 101 to the
access
network 110, and communication link 151B connects the client system 111 to the
access network 110. Conventional content distribution systems typically
include a
plurality of client systems 111, not shown. The server system 101 stores,
manages
and delivers video content requested by a client system 111 via the access
network
110. Access network 110 and communication links 151A, 151B can include, for
example, a transmission medium such as an optical fiber, a coaxial cable, a
hybrid
fiber coaxial (HFC) network, or other suitable transmission media or wireless
telecommunications.
[0017] The server system 101 typically is located in a headend (not shown) or
other
suitable location within the content distribution system 100. The headend
typically is
a regional or local hub that is part of a larger service provider distribution
system,
such as a cable television distribution system. The content distribution
system 100
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typically is based on a central server architecture. In such an architecture,
the server
system 101 typically is centrally located with respect to a plurality of
client systems
111, and connects to each client system 111 directly via a dedicated
transmission
medium (in some embodiments, communication link 151B) of access network 110.
In other embodiments, the content distribution system 100 can be distributed;
for
example, content distribution system 100 can comprise a plurality of server
systems
101 located in one or more headends. In further embodiments, an exemplary
server
system 101 can include a plurality of servers, controllers, and/or processors,
e.g., for
encoding and distributing video content.
[0018] Server system 101 receives, through access network 110, requests from a
client system 111. Server system 101 and client system 111 exchange
information
with one another through access network 110; for example, a user interface
(UI)
server (not shown) of server system 101 can send information for presentation
to a
user 120, and the client system 111 can send to the server system 101
information,
commands, and the like, received in a set-top box (such as requesting STB 150)
via an
input device 112 from user 120. In an embodiment, each client system 111 can
be
associated with one or more users 120.
[0019] In an illustrative embodiment, server system 101 can receive requests
for
content (e.g., from client system 111), interpret the requests, pull requested
content
(e.g., from a database), and deliver to client system 111 a content package
corresponding to the requested content. For example, the content package can
be
delivered via a video processor (not shown) in server system 101 that prepares
and
sends the data through access network 110 following proper protocols.
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[0020] Client system 111 includes a content broker 130 and a plurality of set-
top
boxes, each connected to access network 110 and to one another by a home
network,
such as a network of coaxial cables. In an embodiment, at least two of the set-
top
boxes are PVR/DVR-enabled. For illustrative purposes, a first one of the
PVR/DVR-
enabled set-top boxes is designated as a requesting STB 150, and a second one
of the
PVR/DVR-enabled set-top boxes is designated as a recording STB 140. The
designation of a requesting STB 150 and a recording STB 140 in FIG. 1 does not
mean that each STB has a dedicated function; rather, any of the STBs in client
system
111 can become either a requesting STB or a recording STB, if and when such
functionality is required by a user 120.
[0021] The content broker 130 is a designated server in the home network that
includes the plurality of set-top boxes. In an embodiment, content broker 130
can be
included in one of the set-top boxes of client system 111, such as receiving
STB 140
or requesting STB 150, or another STB. In a further embodiment, content broker
130
can be included in a residential gateway device, or in a separate computing
device.
[0022] The content broker 130 is able to store information such as metadata
related to
the ongoing recording of content in the network. Examples of such metadata can
include, for each item of content, a content identifier (e.g., a unique
numeric value), a
content name (e.g., an ASCII string representing a name for the content, such
as a
program name or episode title), a list of one or more device identifiers for
identifying
the device (e.g., an STB) in which the recorded content is stored, and for
each device
identifier one or more duration values (e.g., indicating the duration of
recorded
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content stored in each device, or a beginning and ending byte offset or time
offset for
the recorded content).
[0023] In some embodiments, the content broker 130 can periodically broadcast
some
or all of the metadata related to the ongoing recording of content in the
network. In
other embodiments, metadata related to the ongoing recording of content in the
network can be queried by a requesting STB 150 before the requesting STB 150
attempts to record the content.
[0024] For further illustrative purposes, the requesting STB 150 is shown to
be
connected to an input device 112, and a display 116. Examples of display 116
include
a television or a monitor. For ease of illustration, only one input device 112
and one
display 116 are depicted in FIG. 1; however, in a typical configuration, each
of the
set-top boxes in client system 111 is similarly connected to a corresponding
input
device 112 and display 116.
[0025] It will be understood by a person having ordinary skill in the art that
the
terminology "set-top" does not in any way limit the physical placement of a
set-top
box such as STBs 140, 150. That is, a set-top box need not be positioned on
top of a
television set. Each set-top box is any suitable signal processing device or
system for
processing video signals, such as any signal converter or decoder (set-top)
box, or
other suitable computing device or video device with set-top box and/or cable
modem
capabilities, including a residential gateway, an internet protocol (IP),
satellite or
cable digital video recorder, a digital video disk (DVD) recorder, a computer,
or a
home media server system. In further embodiments, a set-top box can be a
laptop,
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notebook, or tablet computer, or a mobile device, or can be built into the
display 116.
An exemplary set-top box comprises a computing device that connects the
display
116 and an external signal source, turning the signal into a content stream
that the
display 116 is able to render and display. For example, an exemplary set-top
box can
convert data signals to audio/video content and output the data to display
116, and is
communicatively coupled to the display 116 via a wired or wireless connection.
[0026] A set-top box and/or content server 130 can be completely or partially
configured in the form of hardware circuitry and/or other hardware components
within a larger device or group of components. Alternatively, a set-top box
and/or
content server 130 can be completely or partially configured in the form of
software,
e.g., as processing instructions or one or more sets of logic or computer
code. In such
configuration, the logic or processing instructions typically are stored in a
data storage
device, which typically is coupled to a processor or controller. Both the data
storage
device and the processor or controller can be included as part of a set-top
box,
although such is not necessary. The processor or controller accesses the
necessary
instructions from the data storage device and executes the instructions or
transfers the
instructions to the appropriate location within the set-top box.
[0027] An exemplary set-top box is able to receive input commands from a
corresponding input device 112 and send requests embodied in the input
commands
through access network 110 to server system 101. As depicted in FIG. 1, a user
120
can operate input device 112 to send commands to a requesting STB 150. For
example, user 120 can use input device 112 to control a user interface (UI)
application
of requesting STB 150 (e.g., for navigation and selection of content items
from
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menus). Input device 112 is communicatively coupled to the requesting STB 150
either via a wired or wireless connection. In some embodiments, input device
112 can
be a remote control device. In further embodiments, input device 112 can be a
computer (e.g., a desktop, laptop, notebook, or tablet computer), or a mobile
device or
smartphone, and/or can be completely or partially configured in the form of
software
running on a computer. In still further embodiments, input device 112 can be
built
into the requesting STB 150. In an exemplary embodiment, upon receipt of input
commands, such as changing to a new channel, the UI application causes the
requesting STB 150 to send corresponding instructions upstream through access
network 110 to server system 101. Other set-top boxes in client system 111,
such as
recording STB 140, are similarly able to receive commands from a corresponding
input device 112.
[0028] FIG. 2 is a flow diagram that illustrates a method 200 for distributed
recording
of content according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0029] In step 210, any PVR/DVR-enabled set-top box in client system 111
attempts
to begin recording a content item. For example, user 120 of requesting STB 150
uses
input device 112 to request recording of a content item (e.g., a movie or a
television
program) delivered from the server system 101.
[0030] In step 220, the requesting STB 150 queries the content broker 130 to
determine whether the same content item is being recorded by any other STB in
the
client system 111. The request includes a device identifier uniquely
identifying the
requesting STB 150.
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[0031] In step 230, the content broker 130 responds with information, such as
a
device identifier that identifies a set-top box that is then currently
recording the
requested content (i.e., recording STB 140); or, in the alternative, responds
with
information indicating that none of the set-top boxes in client system 111 is
then
currently recording the requested content.
[0032] In step 240, if the content broker 130 responds with information
indicating
that none of the set-top boxes in client system 111 is then currently
recording the
requested content, then requesting STB 150 begins recording the requested
content,
and notifies the content broker 130 that it is doing so.
[0033] In step 250, if the content broker 130 responds with information
identifying a
set-top box that is then currently recording the requested content (i.e.,
recording STB
140), then the requesting STB 150 does not start recording, but instead
updates an
internal content list to identify the remote recording. The internal content
list stores
the information received from content broker 130, such as the device
identifier that
identifies a set-top box that is then currently recording the requested
content (e.g.,
recording STB 140).
[0034] In step 260, when recording is terminated in the recording STB 140
(either by
completion, or by a termination event such as a command received from user
120),
the content broker 130 notifies the requesting STB 150 of the termination.
[0035] In step 270, if the requesting STB 150 determines that the duration of
the
recording in the recording STB 140 is less than the requested recording
duration, then
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the requesting STB 150 begins recording the remaining duration of the content
in its
local storage.
[0036] FIG. 3 is a flow diagram that illustrates a method 300 for playback of
distributed content according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0037] In step 310, any PVR/DVR-enabled set-top box in client system 111
attempts
to begin playing a remotely recorded content item. For example, user 120 of
requesting STB 150 uses input device 112 to request playback of a content item
(e.g.,
a movie or a television program) which was previously requested by the
requesting
STB 150. It is noted that at step 250, the requesting STB 150 internally
stored
information received from content broker 130, such as the device identifier
that
identifies a set-top box that was then-currently recording the requested
content (e.g.,
recording STB 140). Accordingly, the requesting STB 150 does not need to
contact
the content broker 130 to obtain this information at the time the user 120
requests
playback of the content item.
[0038] In step 320, the requesting STB 150 contacts the recording STB 140
through
the home network and requests streaming of the content from the recording STB
140
to the requesting STB 150.
[0039] In step 330, the streaming content from the recording STB 140 is
displayed by
the requesting STB 150 to the user 120 (e.g., on display 116).
[0040] In step 340, if the requesting STB 150 determines that the duration of
the
recording in the recording STB 140 was less than the requested recording
duration,
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then the requesting STB 150 begins playing back the remaining duration of the
content from its local storage and displays the remaining duration of the
content to the
user 120 (e.g., on display 116).
[0041] In the foregoing specification, specific embodiments of the present
invention
have been described. However, one of ordinary skill in the art appreciates
that
various modifications and changes can be made without departing from the scope
of
the present invention as set forth in the claims below. Accordingly, the
specification
and figures are to be regarded in an illustrative rather than a restrictive
sense, and all
such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of present
invention.
The benefits, advantages, solutions to problems, and any element(s) that may
cause
any benefit, advantage, or solution to occur or become more pronounced are not
to be
construed as a critical, required, or essential features or elements of any or
all the
claims. The invention is defined solely by the appended claims including any
amendments made during the pendency of this application and all equivalents of
those
claims as issued.
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